MATHS

The Mathematics Department aims to equip pupils with the necessary maths skills to function effectively in a society where numeracy is essential. A maths GCSE allows pupils to enter college courses and employment which would otherwise be closed to them and thereby offers up more options for life after school.

The Mathematics Department is based in a suite of four rooms situated on the ground floor of the technology building. Each room is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and projector. The department has access to three ICT rooms where each teaching group is timetabled for one lesson per fortnight. During these lessons the students work on interactive worksheets from the Secondary Living Worksheet resources pack or on other computer based maths activities.

Year 7, 8 and 9 work on a mathematics scheme based around the national curriculum and uses a variety of resources. The main textbooks come from the Formula One series. Classes are on average 24 pupils. Year 7 are taught in mixed ability teaching groups. Year 8 are split into three ability streams and Year 9 are taught in groups relating to their attainment. Pupils who show exceptional ability in mathematics are given the opportunity to enter early for the GCSE.

Years 10 to 11 follow the OCR Modular GCSE course, taking modular examinations in January and June of Year 10, and in January of Year 11. A foundation or higher terminal paper is taken in June of Year 11. Pupils are grouped according to the module they are studying. The main textbooks come from the Graduated Assessment series by Hodder Murray which follows the OCR course specification.

To enhance the teaching, considerable use is made of PowerPoint presentations which have been purchased or produced within the department.